The Rosie Report

I’m Too Busy

Alas, as with any mom, I feel like I am juggling the world. I have taken multi-tasking to a whole new level trying to bounce the swing with one foot while feeding my toddler with the other hand (if only I could use my other foot), which leaves one more hand and one more foot to entertain them both while also thinking of something intelligent to say about Thomas the Tank Engine.

That doesn’t even begin to cover the annoying thoughts of work that constantly enter my brain: “I have to re-sketch that diaper bag to add an extra pocket, did I finish the beading design for that tunic to send to India, ohh we must add a class to the MomPrep curriculum on ‘active play’, ohhhhhhh where is my pad I need to write this stuff down…..oh no I think both my kids just pooped at the same time.” Yep, the old noggin feels like it is going to explode. And then there is the constant internal debate about juggling life as a mother who also works.

Is writing this blog while my 5 week old sits on my lap doing him some kind of disservice? Will he be under-stimulated or over-stimulated or will he be lying on a couch somewhere 30 years from now discussing the damaged caused by his mother writing a blog? And then there was the moment last night when I finally was able to have some one on one time with JR and I went into his room to play. Do you know what he said? “Mamma, I’m too busy, but here is a puzzle for you.” Holy Moly, my toddler is too busy, wonder where he gets that from?!

I know I am not alone in this when a colleague of mine shared that her daughter (also 2 ½) tried to pour water on her laptop to get her to stop working. So yes this is the constant struggle of work/life balance. As mothers, no matter how much quality time we spend with our children I think it is virtually impossible to feel like we are spending enough time with them.

But then this is actually a fabulous sign that we are being the great parents we strive to be. The lack of complacency and the desire to always be better are all great signs. We just have to make sure that these worries don’t take away from the quality time that we spend with our children because we are riddled with self-doubt as opposed to enjoying the moment.

My hubby had a fantastic point last night. He said that successful parenting shouldn’t be done from day to day but from second to second. Live in each second and enjoy it so when you have to go and work, you know that your time with your kids was quality time. And, if your toddler doesn’t want to play with you anymore, it is probably time to pick the little tyke up and go to the zoo!!